The founder of Surf Lodge is back with her hot takes on the best shopping at the “end of the world.” By Jayma Cardoso
The best part about Montauk is being in Montauk and not leaving. And really, you don’t have to; the town is filled with great shops, from clothing to homeware and truly everything in between.
This summer, I curated The Surf Lodge’s on-site boutique with several of my favorite ready-to-wear, accessory, and jewelry brands. I partnered with designers including Adriana Degreas, J. Logan Home, Casablanca, Stampd, Serpui, Frescobol Carioca, Cult Gaia, Carolina K, Krewe, Nahmias, and Tara Hirshberg to showcase their beautiful creations. We also carry popular wetsuits from Montauk native, the iconic Cynthia Rowley, a beach necessity. Additionally, in honor of the Surf Lodge’s 15th anniversary, I collaborated with Sydney Evan to create two diamond necklaces that say “Surf” and “Montauk,” which can also be found at our boutique. My goal was to design a space that had a little bit of everything; whether you need a dress for the evening, sunglasses for the beach, or a gift for the host, we have it.
If you’re looking for a chic layer to keep you warm at night, just swing by Crow’s Nest. The owner of the property, Rachelle Hruska, is such a multifaceted and dynamic woman. In addition to her role at the highly popular restaurant, which is home to some of the most picturesque sunsets in Montauk, she also has a fashion line, Lingua Franca. Hruska created the “Montauk Collection,” which features stylish terry-cloth sweatshirts and super soft cashmere sweaters available at the Crow’s Nest boutique.
As an interior design enthusiast, I love entertaining family and friends at home, so I go to Indy Home whenever I want a special accent piece or tabletop accessories. It has a spectacular selection of plates, chargers, glassware, linens, and more, everything you could possibly imagine to create a beautiful and memorable dinner. One of my favorite items from the store is its colorful block-print beach bags. India is one of my most treasured places in the world to visit and the striking block print reminds me of my time there, and I use the bag for everything, from running errands to going to the beach.
Heading to a dinner party? If so, the Montauk General Store is an absolute must! It has incredible gift baskets, the wine and cheese one being my go-to, which will surely please any host. In addition to their delectable baskets, you can also find an unbelievable selection of everyday home products, from hand-crafted soaps to gourmet coffee beans, fresh flowers, and more. It’s one of those places where you go in for one thing and can’t help but walk out with a basket full.
Montauk is all about making memories, and if you want a souvenir to remember a weekend Out East, head over to Whalebone. They silk-screen their T-shirts on-site and offer a large
variety of colors and styles, but what makes it even better is all their fabrics are made from recycled cotton. Additionally, Whalebone incorporates other substantial practices when producing its clothes in terms of water usage, which is especially appreciated in our beach community.
So the short of this is, if you forgot something at home, don’t stress; there are plenty of great shops in Montauk that will have exactly what you want and need.